Well nothing like having the World Series in your hands twice and then losing it. That’s what happened in one of the most memorable games in World Series history last night in St. Louis. The Texas Rangers had two 2 run leads in the late innings and could not hold on, eventually losing the Cardinals 10-9 in 11 innings, and more importantly tying the World Series at three games a piece.

Even with what looked some divine intervention from the man above in the top of the 10th inning couldn’t stop the St. Louis Cardinals from winning game 6 of the World Series. Josh Hamilton, who has been plagued with an injury for most of the post season, finally hit a home run in the World Series, one that looked like it would stand the test of time as World Series winning homerun, but it wasn’t. This would have been sweet redemption for a player who has gone through off field hell throughout his career. From his problematic drinking to even being a nice guy and throwing a ball to a young fan in Arlington, which turned into a massive negative with the boy’s father passing away attempting to get the ball. Yes, last night should have been about redemption for Hamilton, a story book ending if you must. After all, for a guy who has been through so much, turned his life around and has become a role model for younger kids it would have been the ultimate highlight in his baseball career. Instead the St. Louis Cardinals ruined it all. Clutch hitting by home town boy, David Freese, put the Cardinals back in the game in the bottom of the 9th inning on their final strike and again won it in the 11th inning with a walk off homer. Freese has been clutch all post season and last night again he was the hero.

How can the Texas Rangers respond to last nights emotional loss? They have to bounce back plain and simply by just forgetting about it. Manager Ron Washington will have his team ready for tonight, you can bet that, but its up to the players to just go out there and play relaxed, like the Cardinals did last night in the late innings. There was no quit in the Cards but also there was no gripping the bat too tight in the late innings when they needed to comeback. The Rangers will have to be in the same mind frame to win tonight as they go up against Cardinals Ace Chris Carpenter.

The Rangers will counter with Matt Harrison, who got shelled in Game 3 of the World Series. Harrison will be on a very tight leash tonight, and he will have to pitch the game of his life against Carpenter to help his Rangers win their first World Series title. Texas is also battling some injuries from Game 6. Nelson Cruz left late with a groin injury, but says he will play tonight, and potential World Series MVP, Mike Napoli, will be battling a bad ankle and should play through the pain tonight.

Now that we have witnessed one of the best World Series in the past twenty or so seasons we have to ask whats next? How can two teams possibly top last nights game six? Aside from a perfect game being thrown in a 1-0 win, or a late inning walk off home run, I can’t really see how Game 7 will live up to Game 6. It will be memorable, regardless of the outcome as baseball will have crowned a new champion, but what is there left for the 2011 MLB season. Tonight will answer all those questions in St. Louis.

About the AuthorSubscribe to author's RSS feed
Written by George Kouvalis
A huge fan of sports who loves to travel for major events. I've seen my fair share of major games and events including three Olympics, Wimbledon, The Masters etc.... Always up for a road trip or a drink to talk over sports or pro wrestling, in any city I am in or online. Favorite Teams: Toronto Maple Leafs, Toronto FC, Toronto Blue Jays, Chicago Bulls, San Francisco 49ers, Toronto Argonauts, Manchester United, and of course the teams I blog for, the Texas Rangers and Buffalo Sabres. Follow me on twitter at the handle georgekouvalis